NFL

After missing playoffs, Giants look to bounce back

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)

A year ago, the New York Giants failed miserably in their bid to
get back to the Super Bowl and defend their title.

This year, the Giants just want to stay home - and become the
first NFL team to play the Super Bowl in their backyard.

The first cold-weather Super Bowl is being held in New Jersey,
and the Giants have the offense to get there.

Eli Manning is in his prime. The dynamic Victor Cruz is
re-signed and there are enough pieces on the offense to make coach
Tom Coughlin's team's a threat for a third title in seven years.
The question mark is the running game in the post-Ahmad Bradshaw
era.

The concern, however, is the defense, the unit that was the key
to titles in the 2007 and `11 seasons. It was the NFL's second
worst in 2012 and the new-look unit needs to be better.

''We missed the playoffs last year,'' Manning said. ''That's the
goal. You can't win a championship if you don't make the playoffs.
It is about doing whatever it takes and making sure we're putting
ourselves in position to make the playoffs toward the end of the
season and then excelling at the end of the season to finish that
job.''

The Giants (9-7) didn't miss the playoffs by much. The
difference was a 3-5 finish after a 6-2 start.

Five things to look for as the Giants opening training camp:

1. JPP READY OR NOT: Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, the
catalyst of the defense with 27 1/2 sacks in 48 games, had surgery
to repair a herniated disk in his lower back in June. The recovery
time was expected to be 12 weeks which makes him a question mark
for the start of the season. With the loss of Osi Umenyiora to free
agency, Mathias Kiwanuka is back at DE. Third-round draft pick
Damontre Moore has some of that freakish pass-rush talent that JPP
has exhibited and he might be the surprise this season.

2. WHO'S IN THE RUNNING? Manning is going to have new faces in
the backfield. David Wilson, the first-round pick in 2012, is the
No. 1 back with the release of Bradshaw in a salary-cap move.
Wilson is a breakaway threat but he has to prove he can pick up the
blitz. Andre Brown is No. 2 despite coming off a broken leg. The
other concern is at fullback. Henry Hynoski needed surgery on his
left knee after being injured in the June minicamp.

3. NICKLE AND DIME DEES: With questions at linebacker and a
plethora of seasoned defensive backs, expect the Giants to use a
lot of nickel and dime defenses. The three-safety formation was a
staple in the run to the Super Bowl in 2011, so coordinator Perry
Fewell probably will roll out more gimmick defenses to match the
more pass-orientated NFL. Look for veterans Antrel Rolle, Stevie
Brown, Ryan Mundy, Corey Webster, Prince Amukamara, Aaron Ross and
Terrell Thomas - coming off two ACL surgeries - to lead the
way.

4. HAKEEM NICKS MIGHT BE KEY: While Manning and Cruz are the
offensive catalysts, New York needs a healthy Nicks at wide
receiver to open things up. Nicks, entering the final year of his
contract, refused to attend voluntary offseason workouts after
struggling last season. He broke his right foot in minicamp and
hurt his left knee in the second week of the season. A 1,000-yard
receiver in 2010 and 2011, he had 53 catches for 692 yards and
three touchdowns last season. He can be a second game-breaker if
healthy. Second-year receiver Rueben Randle and free agent signee
Louis Murphy, a speedster, might surprise.

5. NEW KIDS IN THE HUDDLE: Veteran Josh Brown replaces Lawrence
Tynes as placekicker. Top draft pick Justin Pugh should push
veteran David Diehl at right tackle. Second-round pick Johnathan
Hankins should see time at defensive tackle, even though free-agent
signee Cullen Jenkins and Linval Joseph probably will start.
Brandon Myers, who had 79 catches for 806 yards with Oakland last
season, gives Manning his first proven tight end entering a camp
since the days of Jeremy Shockey and Kevin Boss.

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